Case studies

Back to topOliver’s sustainable spec for BedZED

When TV designer Oliver Heath was called in to design the interiors for an extension to BedZED, the UK’s largest eco-village, earthBorn paints were high on his specification list.

Oliver was chosen to create interiors for a new show home, exhibition area and reception because of his reputation for sustainable interiors.

BedZED (Beddington Zero Energy Development) is located in Wallington, South London, and comprises 100 homes, community facilities and workspace. This multi-award winning development demonstrates that eco-construction and green lifestyles can be easy, accessible, affordable and provide a good quality of life.

BedZED’s popularity with visitors meant that it needed additional facilities, in particular, a new show home where people can discover how changes you make to your life can reduce your environmental impact.

Oliver drew his inspiration for the show home interior from a sense of nature. The walls feature natural muted shades of earthBorn paints, specified by Oliver to complement the light within the property and mixed to the required shade by earthBorn’s bespoke tinting service.

The earthBorn range was specified not only for its green credentials but also because it is perfect for the building’s tightly controlled environment. It has excellent humidity balancing properties thanks to a technologically advanced formulation which makes it highly breathable.

Back to topOrganic hotel opts for earthBorn

An exciting concept hotel in the Lake District’s glorious Grasmere takes the care of its residents to a new dimension. Owners of the organic Moss Grove Hotel, Nigel and Jackie Gorton, indulge their guests in luxury without compromising their environmental principles.

Jackie said: “In every aspect of the hotel we aim to be as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. We serve organic, local and fair trade foods, use furniture made from sustainable materials and have decorated all our rooms using natural, toxin-free paints.

“These days, organic doesn’t mean straw beds and lime wash, it means undyed luxury cotton and technologically advanced paints. earthBorn paints demonstrate perfectly that you don’t have to compromise luxury and quality in order to be environmentally friendly.”

The hotel opened in June 2006 following an extensive, eight-month refurbishment using environmentally friendly products such as sheep’s wool insulation, under floor heating, reclaimed timber and low energy appliances and lighting.

Jackie added: “We chose earthBorn paints – Claypaint for the walls and ceilings and proAqua Eggshell for the woodwork - because they contain no toxins such as VOCs and we particularly like their texture and colours.

“Claypaint has a distinct appearance and colour range that create a calming, restful atmosphere. Virtually all our visitors have remarked on it.

“We are delighted with the way earthBorn paints enhance the style of our rooms. They are also better for the health of our guests and staff.”

Claypaint palette: Straw on walls, Sahara on ceiling, New Stone on cornice.	Claypaint palette: Blush on walls, Sahara on ceiling, Almond on beams.

earthBorn stockist: Kendal Paints, www.brom-paints.co.uk
Decorators: Acorn (Kendal), www.acorndevelopments.com
www.mossgrove.com

Back to topBreathable paints fit the Grand Design

One of the stars of Channel 4’s 2008 Grand Designs series was a modernist home built in the grounds of a disused lime works near Edinburgh.

The house, built by food writer Pru Irvine and husband Richard, is set against the backdrop of several historic stone lime kilns which the Irvines have undertaken to maintain for future generations.

Faced with the opportunity to build a large, new house in an historic setting, Pru and Richard were keen to build sensitively. Sustainability was very important to them.

As Pru said: “Given the opportunity to do something like this, we felt responsible for doing it sustainably - to create a building that would last.

“We wanted to create a breathing building and looked to achieve maximum breathability in every product used.”

Naturally, earthBorn paints were ideal for the Irvine’s new home. Being water based and totally oil free, they are highly breathable. The Irvines selected Claypaint for all internal plastered walls and ceilings, apart from one feature wall which was wallpapered, and proAqua Eggshell for the woodwork. They used the Taupe shade throughout.

Pru adds: “We are thrilled with the finished effect – the soft looks and subtle texture are fantastic.

“And when applying the paints, it was great that there were no horrible smells to make you feel ill. They were easy to apply, fast drying and cover really well.”

earthBorn stockist: Russell Paints www.russellpaints.co.uk

Back to topPreserving historic building in carbon neutral village

Refurbishment of an historic building in a village bidding to become the UK’s first carbon neutral community¹ has been completed with earthBorn paints.

The Parish Rooms, a popular community facility in Ashton Hayes, Cheshire, needed repainting following the installation of a new damp-proof course and replastering.

The building, constructed primarily of sandstone, is located in the village’s conservation area. The Parish Council was keen to use products that were sensitive to both the historic fabric of the building and the community’s carbon neutral initiative.

earthBorn Claypaint and proAqua Eggshell proved ideal. Being completely VOC and acrylic free, they do not give off carbon emissions, while their breathability means they work in harmony with the fabric of the building which is prone to damp.

earthBorn Paints are amongst the most breathable on the market, providing minimal resistance to the water vapour as it seeks to migrate through the coating and evaporate into the air. earthBorn paints allow walls to breathe - working with nature, not against it.

earthBorn Managing Director John Dison explains: “Acrylic paints can provide an unwelcome barrier to the damp in the wall, virtually sealing the surface of the wall. But you cannot seal in the damp for ever. With nowhere to go, it will eventually blow the paint and plaster off a wall. Whether it be an old wall with inherent damp problems or a newly plastered wall, letting it breathe through the paint will balance the humidity.”

The plastered internal walls and ceiling were painted with Vanilla Claypaint, while Nut Rocker proAqua Eggshell was applied to the half timber panelling.

Ashton Hayes Parish Council is spearheading the village’s carbon neutral programme. Parish Council Chairman Pauline Tilley said: “The zero carbon nature of earthBorn paints has helped us to reduce the carbon footprint of our Parish Rooms. Their breathability will benefit the fabric of the building over the years.”

earthBorn stockist: Robinson & Neal Ltd
www.robinson-neal.com

CARBON NEUTRAL: Decorator Jeff Kendall applies Nut Rocker proAqua Eggshell to the timber panelling in Ashton Hayes Parish Rooms.

¹www.goingcarbonneutral.co.uk